According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. According to the custom or the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple.
The part assigned to each priest during his week of service was decided by lot. Three were employed at the offering of incense: to remove the ashes of the former service; to bring in and place on the golden altar the pan filled with hot burning coals taken from the altar of burnt offering; and to sprinkle the incense on the hot coals, and, while the smoke of it ascended, to make intercession for the people. This was the most distinguished part of the service (Revelation 8:3), and this was what fell to the lot of Zacharias at this time [Lightfoot].